The reports all say the same things.
It doesn’t matter which ones you read. Our youth are searching. Searching for meaning and purpose in life. Looking to ground their values. It’s why, when they are looking for jobs, they demand that the companies they work for also give back in some way.
They want to do what matters in the world.
They are seeking meaning and purpose.
Olami is the driving force behind 300 organizations in over 25 countries around the world, all working tirelessly to connect Jewish college students and young professionals to Jewish wisdom and community so that they can grow toward a life of goodness, and fulfilment.
Every year we touch 50,000 students, starting a life-changing journey.
Every year, we engage 25,000 in meaningful Jewish education and conversation, exploring Jewish history and values through innovative and relevant programming and creating powerful networks.
Our mentor model, student leadership and niche programming enable us to provide much needed interpersonal relationships and build real community.
With your help, we can do so much more!
Your donation will fund exhilarating trips and immersive experiences, a global business network, a media lab, online courses, enhanced staff training, student leader activation, partnerships with community mentors, conferences, summits and more!
OUR TEAM
Rabbi David Markowitz
Managing Director
Rabbi David Markowitz has been focused on Jewish Outreach for the past 15 years. He has worked in numerous outreach capacities including: educational development, programming, Kiruv training, camp programming, campus outreach and management. Prior to his role with Olami, he worked at the COO of Aish NY and a campus Rabbi in UCLA and managed 10 college campuses for JAM in LA.
Rabbi Raphael Butler
President
Rabbi Raphael Butler is the President of Olami and The Afikim Foundation, a leading consultant to many in the philanthropic community who seek his guidance to assist them in fulfilling their communal priorities.
Michal Nordmann
Director of Global Brand and Marketing
After graduating from Leeds University, Michal embarked on a career in marketing in London, implementing many successful and award-winning campaigns for Virgin, Heinz, and more. She then became Group Account Director working for the U.K.’s largest charities. In 2009 she moved to New York, where for five years she took her experience in-house to Aish NY. Upon moving to Israel, Michal became a consultant to a range of nonprofits, before focusing her efforts on Olami.
Rabbi Avi Cassel
Regional Director, North America
Rabbi Avi Cassel directs over 110 Olami programs, servicing more than 20,000 students around North America. He also oversees STARS, a multi-organization partnership project in the former Soviet Union. Rabbi Cassel is a graduate of the world’s top yeshivot including Mir, Lakewood, and Ner Israel, and has more than 15 years of management and education experience for Olami.
Adina Stilerman
Director of Expansion, Olami Souled
Adina Stilerman is a motivational speaker engaging and entertaining audiences across the world. As the new director of expansion for Olami Souled, the womens community in Olami, she is on a mission to inspire women to embrace the endless possibilities for growth and personal metamorphosis.
Yisrael Schwebel
chief financial officer
Jackie Glaser
Director of Leadership Development
Jackie had a private practice in Sydney Australia and worked as the resident “Psychologist” on the national “Today Show”. Jackie also consulted and did organizational work for the police, media personalities and other non-profit organizations. Jackie Engel is now the Director of Leadership Development of Olami, Director of the Jewish Leaders Foundation, Director of Souled a Jewish women’s empowerment program in Manhattan and a teacher for Meor Manhattan.
Bashi Rosen
Program Director, JGroup
Rabbi Yakov Tipograf has been focused on Jewish community work for the past 18 years, having worked in numerous capacities including: project management, educational development, programming and training. Prior to his role with Olami, he worked as substitute director of St. Peterburg Migdal Ohr Jewish school, and as inspector of FSU Jewish school network. Rabbi Tipograf has an MA in Computer Science and worked for a few years in micro-processing.
Rabbi Gidon Shoshan
Senior Manager and Director of Educator Recruitment
Rabbi Gidon Shoshan assists the North American Regional Director in overseeing Olami’s vast community of students and organizations in the US and Canada. Rabbi Shoshan’s keen eye for maximizing things helped earn him Harvard University’s Leadership in Education Award in 2012, and he integrates his professional education, his studies at the world’s top yeshivot, and his big heart to help make Olami better and better.
Rabbi Meir Rosenberg
Regional Director, Latin America
Rabbi Meir Rosenberg was born in Costa Rica and grew up in Chile. While studying a B.A. in Industrial Engineering, he volunteered to direct the building of houses for underprivileged families, and spent his summers in Israel, bringing groups of Jewish college students for educational programs. After moving to Israel, Meir studied in Aish HaTorah and at the Mir Yeshiva. Besides his role with Olami, he is the chief editor of AishLatino.com, the largest Jewish website in Spanish, and also serves as COO of Latin America for Aish HaTorah.
Rabbi Arieh Marciano
Regional Director, France
After learning in the best yeshivot including Jerusalem’s Yeshiva Hazon Baroukh and Yeshiva Heikhal Hatorah, Rabbi Marciano spent 10 years learning in a kollel. Rabbi Marciano has been leading Olami France for since 2008.
Rabbi Yakov Tipograf
Regional Director, FSU
Rabbi Yakov Tipograf has been focused on Jewish community work for the past 18 years, having worked in numerous capacities including: project management, educational development, programming and training. Prior to his role with Olami, he worked as substitute director of St. Peterburg Migdal Ohr Jewish school, and as inspector of FSU Jewish school network. Rabbi Tipograf has an MA in Computer Science and worked for a few years in micro-processing.
Rabbi Eli Ilani
Regional Director, Israel
Rabbi Ari Gruen
Director of Trips
Liat Garelick
Program Director, Seriously Souled
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Olami is a 501c3 registered non profit charitable organization.
All donations are tax deductible in the United States.